(STATEHOUSE) August 19, 2009 -State Representative Matt Lehman (R-Berne) has been assigned to an interim study committee aimed at preparing the General Assembly on important issues for the next legislative session. This year, Representative Lehman was selected to serve on the Interim Study Committee on Professional Licensing. As a member of the committee, Rep. Lehman and other Representatives will study topics related to oversight of thousands of professionals and dozens of industries. "There are 400,000 licensed professionals in the state of Indiana- in professions ranging from accountants, to veterinarians, to funeral home directors," said Rep. Lehman. "The job of this committee will be to review issues relating to who is getting licensed, and how." The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature and meets on a two year cycle, four months one year and three months the following year. Important statewide issues can be dealt with efficiently year-round through the use of the Interim Study Committees and Statutory Commissions. These two types of legislative bodies convene regularly through the remainder of the year and study key issues which could lead to possible legislation in the upcoming session. Last year Rep. Lehman introduced HEA 1246, which allows Consumers to get better insurance rates. The new law allows consumers to request a recalculation of their insurance score and eliminates mandatory periodic recalculation. The bill also limits the use of credit ratings in setting insurance rates and prohibits the use of late medical payments as a negative factor in insurance rating. Insurance companies now can insure more people and maintain their competitiveness. -30- |
